Committees

Upcoming Events

Tech & AI Committee

The Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce (GWBCC) Technology Committee serves as a strategic advisory body responsible for advancing technology-driven innovation, digital equity, and operational excellence across the Chamber and its member organizations.

The Committee is focused on positioning GWBCC at the forefront of technology adoption by supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and partners in leveraging emerging technologies to scale, compete, and thrive in a digital economy.

Key responsibilities include:

Advising on technology strategy, digital transformation, and innovation initiatives across GWBCC programs
Promoting the adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, data platforms, and immersive technologies
Supporting minority-owned businesses in building digital capacity, cybersecurity readiness, and technology infrastructure
Identifying partnerships with industry, government, and academic institutions to expand access to resources and funding opportunities
Ensuring responsible, ethical, and inclusive use of technology that advances economic equity and long-term sustainability

Through its leadership, the Technology Committee bridges vision and execution—ensuring that innovation translates into measurable impact for GWBCC members and the broader business community.

Co-Chair

Michael Charles

CEO/Founder, SolutionsMET, LLC

BIO

Michael J. Charles works at the intersection of people and technology, helping organizations cut through complexity, modernize what needs modernizing, and secure what matters most. As Founder and CEO of SolutionsMET, he has spent his career turning strategy into action across government, commercial, and FinTech sectors, aligning people, processes, and technology so good ideas become practical, measurable results.

As Co-Chair of the GWBCC Technology Committee, Michael brings that same business-first mindset to Chamber members and the broader Greater Washington business community. He understands that most business owners do not need more tech jargon. They need a trusted voice who can help them understand what technology decisions mean for their operations, security, growth, and long-term competitiveness. With expertise spanning systems integration, infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity, AI strategy, and large-scale IT program management, Michael is focused on helping Black-owned businesses compete, grow, and lead with confidence in an increasingly digital world.

Co-Chair

Howard Jean

CEO/Founder, Black Meta Agency

BIO

Howard R. Jean is the CEO and Founder of Black Meta Agency (@bmaweb3), a next-generation technology agency operating across Washington DC, Brooklyn NY, and London UK, serving 250,000+ community benefactors worldwide.

With deep roots in workforce development, Howard leads a high-impact ecosystem that deploys VR/XR immersive training, AI-powered workshops, blockchain tools, Web3 products, and learning management systems across multicultural communities, HBCUs, and corporate partners. His signature approach, “Portals Not Pathways,” challenges traditional access models by building immersive entry points into tech careers, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

Howard has produced groundbreaking activations including the HBCU Crypto, Blockchain and Vibecoding Summit, the March Madness Crypto Empowerment Tour, and the HBCU Web3, VC and Tech Tour across campuses nationwide. BMA launched the nation’s first VR Dental Hygiene Training Lab at the Community College of Baltimore County, developed in partnership with NYU School of Dentistry, Gleechi, and Delta Dental Foundation.

A Claflin University graduate originally from Langley, SC, Howard is a practitioner, builder, and community architect at the intersection of immersive technology and economic equity.

Vice-Chair

Melissa Daley

CEO, Orca Intelligence

BIO

Melissa Daley is CEO of Orca Intelligence, a digital transformation and innovation firm focused on workforce development, healthcare, education, housing and applied data solutions. She has led complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives and specializes in designing integrated systems that connect technology, data, and human outcomes.

As Vice Chair, Melissa plays a critical role in aligning the Technology Committee’s work with strategic growth opportunities, partnerships, and funding initiatives. She brings a strong focus on leveraging AI, data platforms, and emerging technologies to drive economic mobility, support minority-owned businesses, and expand GWBCC’s impact both regionally and globally.

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Workforce Development Committee

The Workforce Development Committee of the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce supports the Chamber's mission of advancing economic development in the Black community through education, enterprise, and entrepreneurship. The Committee serves as a resource to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders by helping them address workforce challenges, strengthen talent pipelines, and build sustainable organizational capacity.

The Committee connects employers with the tools, information, partnerships, and workforce resources needed to recruit, develop, retain, and advance talent. Through educational programs, business forums, workforce partnerships, policy discussions, and strategic collaborations, the Committee helps organizations navigate evolving workforce trends, identify skilled talent, access training and workforce development opportunities, and develop effective apprenticeship, internship, mentorship, and leadership development programs that support workforce growth, succession planning, and long-term organizational success.

By fostering collaboration among employers, educational institutions, workforce agencies, economic development organizations, and community partners, the Committee strengthens the regional workforce ecosystem while supporting entrepreneurship, small business growth, job creation, and economic opportunity throughout the Greater Washington region.

Committee Chair

Edgar Ndjatou

Owner/Principal, Officium, LLC

BIO

Originally from Cameroon and raised in New York City, Edgar Ndjatou (ja-too) is a DC-based workers’ rights advocate who is passionate about creating efficient workplaces that value fair treatment, trust and open communication. In his work, Edgar specializes in assisting organizations in making competent HR decisions, strategizing innovative policies and procedures, establishing business operations that benefit both employers and workers, and navigating difficult situations through alternative dispute resolution.

Before founding Officium, Edgar practiced employment law for nine years and co-managed his own firm. As a lawyer, Edgar represented employees and employers in various sectors, and provided counsel to minimize litigation risk by ensuring compliance with federal, state and local employment laws. He leverages this knowledge and skillset to educate the public on workers’ rights and leads advocacy efforts in support of employees and their wellbeing.

This diverse range of experience provides Edgar with a holistic perspective and approach that allows him to successfully serve clients in a variety of industries in the public, private and government sector, including charter schools, professional tutors, construction firms, restaurants, IT companies and other business owners.

In his free time, Edgar enjoys listening to podcasts, watching sports, and keeping up with current events in politics and beyond.

Committee Member

Susan Shorters

President & CEO, High Impact Partners (HIP)

BIO

Susan Shorters is President and CEO of High Impact Partners (HIP). Founded by Ms. Shorters in 2009, HIP is a management consulting firm specializing in training, workforce and professional development, grants management, and project management. Ms. Shorters founded and named HIP to reflect her professional and personal passion to have a positive impact on people, projects, and performance. HIP achieves positive impact through a customer-centered, collaborative approach that delivers value-added solutions using a multi-disciplinary team of skilled subject matter experts and project managers.

Prior to launching HIP, Ms. Shorters was a contractor for several multi-year U.S. Department of Labor grant projects where she led teams of professionals to deliver training and coaching to grantees across the U.S. Ms. Shorters also directed the production of workforce development tools and resources on topics such as employer engagement, mentoring, and case management to bolster grantees’ performance outcomes. In addition, Ms. Shorters managed the successful implementation of national conferences, federal partner convenings, and customized trainings and webinars.

Ms. Shorters began her professional career on Capitol Hill at the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, where she worked in several Congressional offices and the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms. Ms. Shorters also directed the National Faith-Based Academy at the National Congress for Community Economic Development (NCCED) and led the NCCED Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) to develop a workforce pipeline of leaders from colleges and universities into the field of community economic development. Ms. Shorters also served as a program specialist for several national funder intermediaries and philanthropic organizations. Prior to working in the nonprofit sector, Ms. Shorters led a major accounts portfolio at Xerox Corporation.

Ms. Shorters has a passion for small businesses and serves as an advocate in her role on the Board of Directors for the Washington DC Chamber of Commerce and as a Co-Chair of the DC Chamber’s Small Business Advisory Council. In addition to the DC Chamber, Ms. Shorters serves as a member of the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce (GWBCC) where she is an active member of the Workforce Development Committee, as well as the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Impact and Blessings are Ms. Shorters’ north stars. She uses her leadership, collaboration, strategic planning, communication and solutions focus to drive positive impact for people, projects, and performance, and to be a blessing in the process. Ms. Shorters credits prayer and her faith in God for carrying her through trying circumstances and blessing her with opportunities that led to success. In turn, Ms. Shorters seeks to be a blessing to others and pay it forward

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Real Estate/Construction & Development

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Vice Chair:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

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Creative Economies Committee

Supports entrepreneurs and businesses in arts, culture, media, design, and entertainment. Focused on visibility, revenue growth, partnerships, and access to capital for creative industries.

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Treasurer:

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International Committee

Builds global bridges for Black enterprise. We position our members to compete, collaborate, and expand across borders, unlocking international markets and long-term global impact.

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Vice Chair:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

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Policy Forum Committee

Engages business leaders in timely policy discussions that impact economic equity and growth. Connects members with lawmakers, agency leaders, and regulatory updates that affect their bottom line.

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Vice Chair:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

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Upcoming Events

Tech & AI Committee

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Vice-Chair

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Workforce Development Committee

Committee Chair

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Real Estate/Construction & Development

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Creative Economies Committee

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International Committee

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Policy Forum Committee

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